Reenforced joint for golf clubs



Nov. 2 1926.

G. W. MATTERN REENFORCED JOINT FOR GOLF CLUBS Filed April 17. 1924 gnuwlfoz Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. MATTERN, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CRAWFORD, MCGBEGOR AND CANBY COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

REENFORCED JOINT FOR GOLF CLUBS.

Application filed April 17, 1924. Serial No. 707,122.

My invention relates. to golf clubs and the like, and more particularly to means and method of reenforcing the neck and handle shaft of golf clubs, and for securing and protecting the joint between the golf club head and its handle shaft, as a substitute for the usual whipping, or wopping.

The present inventigp clubhead, and its handle shaft and such other portions of the golf club head or hosel, and handle shaft as may be subjected to hard use and breakage, in a metallic sleeve or ferrule, which is made to conform closely and accurately to the contour of the club parts by being applied in the form of a whipping or wopping of metallic Wire, the successive convolutions of which are'subsequently another and with the club parts in the event the latter are of metal, by soldering, brazing or welding, thereby forming the wopping of metallic wire into an integral continuous metallic sleeve formed in situ upon the golf club, and therefore, conforming closely and accurately to the contour of the joined parts.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure, as well as the means and mode of operation, cheapened in construction, and will be more economically manufactured, but will be more efficient in use, of greater durability and strength, non susceptible to atmospheric and climatic changes, and unlikely to become loosened orbroken.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of employing a reenforcement sleeve or envelope which will be made to conform accurately and closely to the enclosed part, by applying such sleeve in strand or wire form by wrapping 0r whipping the joint closely and subsequently uniting the convolutions of the whipping or wopping by integrally uniting them with each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for interconnecting the head and handle shaft of golf clubs and the like, particularly when one or both of such parts are of metallic character, by enclosing the joint in a metallic ferrule or sleeve closely conforming thereto, and uniting such ferrule or sleeve with one or both of the joined members.

Withthe' above primary and other inciinvolves the band ing, or enclosing the joint between the golf caused to cohere and unite one with whereby it will not only be dental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations 1 thereof, and the mode of operation or their equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims;

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two forms or styles of golf clubs to which the present invention has been applied. Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged detail sectional view of a reenforced joint embodying the present invention.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

It is customary to whip or Wrap the joint between the neck of a golf club head, and the handle shaft, with thread or fine twine, which is set in shellac or other coating of adhesive, cementitious material. Such whipping or wrapping is known as wopping. The ends of the handle grip wrapping are also secured in like manner by a short length of whipping or wopping at each end of the section. Such whipping or wopping becomes worn and frayed in use, and is subject to rapid deterioration. Clubs being of different length, the iron clubs sometimes. cut or fray the wopping on the longer wood en clubs, When in the caddy bag. When worn, such wrapping or wopping absorbs moisture to more or less extent and the whipping thread or twine becomes weakened, allowing the handle shaft to become loose in the hosel, and the wrapping to become unsecure, The present reenforcement means and its mode of application to golf clubs is intended to overcome such objectionable features of the thread or twine wopping by providing a metallic band or sleeve, which is individually fitted to the contour of each joint or part, and which will be impervious to moisture and unaffected by temperature changes. While various mater1als are available, which may be .itial end of the strand rial which may be of flexible or pliable character and capable of being wrapped closely with the further capability of being umted one strand with another to form an integral Whole may beemployed. r

In the accompanying drawings, 1 is the club head, 2 the handle shaft and 3 the leather wrapped rip. In Fig. 1 the joint between the handle shaft 2 and the club head 1 has been shown enclosed and reenforced in a metallic or outer continuous sleeve 5, conforming throughout to the enclosed part. The sleeve 5 is formed b wrapping a metallic wire or strand of other material closely and tightly about the joined hosel and handle shaft. Preferably, the inor wire is temporarily attached by wrapping with adhesive tape to hold the reenforcement wire or strand in place until secured. The wrapping wire or strand 4 is flexible or pliable so that it Wlll readily conform itself to the contour of the hosel and handle shaft. The successive convolutions are closely located one to another, and are continued upon the hosel and handle shaft some distance at either side of the meeting point. After the wrapping of the reenforcement strand or wire is completed the finalend is also temporarily secured by'binding with adhesive tape or by a suitable clamp. Then in the event that metallic wire has been employed for the wopping, the successive convolutions are united one to another by deposits of solder as at 6, closing the interstices between the convolutions and building up the exterior surface of the reenforcement sleeve to the level of the wrapping. The sleeve is then dressed off by filing, grinding or by other operations to afford a uniform, smooth surface, which is burnished or olished asmay be desired. The initial and nal ends ofthe wopping or wrapping wire are turned ofl. evenly, and the whole given a neat finished appearance. In the event that this reenforce-' ment sleeve is applied to a golf club having a metal head, the convolutions of the wire not only unites such wire convolutions one to another, but also affords a physical union with the metallic hosel. In the event that the handle shaft 2 is of metallic character as is now commonly used, the reenforcement sleeve 5 unites integrally withnthe handle shaft. In lieu of soldering the successive convolulutions, the wrapping of wire may be united turn to turn and also to the hosel or handle shaft as the case may be, .by brazing or by welding, electrically or otherwise. In event that material other than metallic wire is employed, for instance, strands ha ving rubber characteristics, such strandsTmay be closely wrapped into tight conformity to the contour of the joint and subsequently united by vulcanizing, in situ, to form a continuous soldering of the successive parent that there sleeve 'of tubular form, which conforms closely to the contour of the joint.

Inasmuch as the joints of different golf clubs will vary slightly in dimension or contour, the use of preformed metallic sleeves is not practical, since there is no assurance that a preformed sleeve will accurately fit the joined part. Moreover, it is desirable to securely attach the handle shaft 2 in the hosel of the head 1 before applying the reenforcement. Inasmuch as the joint ordinarily occurs at the point of smallest diameter, the hosel gradually tapering in one direction and the shaft in the opposite direction, a preformed sleeve cannot be successfully applied subsequent to the joining of the club parts. However, the forming of the metallic reenforcement sleeve in situ by the wrapping of metallic wire about the parts into close conformity and subsequently uniting the turns insures an individual close fitting sleeve for each club.

Such reenforcement by the integral uniting of consecutive convolutions of a metallic wrapping wire may beemployed not only at the joint between the handle shaft and club head, but reenforcement strands so constructed may be distributed throughout the length of the handle shaft as indicated at 7, in Fig. 1. These bandswhich may be of greater or less extent tend to reenforce and strengthen the handle shaft and prevent breakage' without. materially interfering with the whip or flexibility of the shaft. Likewise metallic bands 8 may be in like manner applied to the ends of the wrapping of the grip 3 to secure the grip cover or wrapping in place.

The present method and means of reenforcing golf clubs and the like is not only applicable to new clubs, during manufacture, but is also useful in applying reenforcing bands to broken clubs r repair purposes to extend their period of usefulness.

ile the reenforcment sleeve or band and particularly adapted, it is to be understood that it is applicable also to other purposes,

'as for instance, the banding and reenforcwill readily occur to the skilled mechanic as the occasion arises.

From the above of the character described possessing the par- .ticular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable but Which obviously of modification in its form,

ment of parts without dep claim a head bored to receive detail construction and arrangearting from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less'specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown, but that the means and construction referred e invenis thereproportions,

form of several modes of putting t tion into effect and the invention, fore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I

1. In a golf club or the like, the combination with a head bored to receive the end of a handle shaft and a handle shaft inserted in such bore, of a whipping of metallic wire surroundingthe juncture of the headand shaft, and overlapping both the head and the shaft, the successive convolutions of the metallic wrapping being integrally united to form thereof a continuous metallic sleeve conforming to the joined portions of the head and shaft.

2. In a golf club or the like, the combination with a head bored to receive the end of a handle shaft and a handle shaft inserted in such bore, of a metallic sleeve encasing and conformed to the adjacent joined portions of the head and shaft comprising a wrapping of metallic wire about the joint, the succeeding convolutions of which have been united by soldering subsequent to their placement about the joint.

3. In a golf club or the like, a metallic a shaft, a metallic shaft, one e nd of which is inserted in such bore, a metallic sleeve enclosingthe oint between the head and shaft and overlapping both said members to which the sleeve is united by fusing.

a. In a golf club or the like, the combination with a head portion bored to receive a handle shaft, and a handle shaft, one end of which is inserted in such bore, at least one of said members being metallic, of ametallic sleeve exteriorly enclosing the joint between said parts, said sleeve being united with the metallic member by soldering.

5. In a golf club or the like, the combination with a head portion, and a handle section connected therewith, of a metallic sleeve formed in situ about the joint between the shaft adjacent to their juncture point, said head and handle shaft, consisting of successive convolutions of wire wrapped closely about the joint and conforming to the contour of the joined parts, the successive convolutions being physically joined one to another to form the sleeve subsequent to their placement about the joint.

6 A golf club comprising a head portion and a handle shaft joined one to the other and aninfiexible metallic sleeve formed in situ about the oint and conforming thereto.

7. A golf clu comprising a head and handle shaft joined one to the other and a whipping of metallic wire surrounding'the joint, the convolutions of which are united one to another by soldering.

8. A golf club comprising a head and handle shaft joined one to the other, at least one of said members being metallic, and a whipping of metallic wire enclosing the joint, the convolutions of which are united one to another and to the metallic member of the club by, soldering.

9. A golf club comprising a shaft and a head provided with a bore in which the end of the shaft is secured, in combination with a ferrule formed by wrapping metallic wire about the joint between the head and shaft and uniting the convolutions of the metallic wire wrapping one with the other to form a continuous rigid enclosing sleeve.

10. A golf club comprising a tapered shaft and a head having a tapered shank in which the end of the tapered shaft is secured and a ferrule comprising a wrapping of metallic wire conforming to the tapers of the shank and shaft, the convolutions of which are integrally united to form a continuous rigid enclosure sleeve.

11. A golf club comprising a head having a tapered shank, a tapered shaft,one end of which is inserted within the tapered shank of the head, and a wrapping of metallic wire surrounding the parts at the point of convergence of the taper of the shank with that of the shaft to unite the head and shaft.

12. A golf club comprising a head having a shank, a shaft, one end of which is inserted within a bore in said shank, at least one of said parts being metallic, and a wrapping of metallic wire surrounding the shank and wire wrapping being integrally united with said metallic member. I

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of April A. D. 1924.

GEORGE W. MATTERN. 

